Repurposing wood packing crates
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My husband brought home some wooden packing crates, and the only thing I can think of is planter boxes. How do I make them so they don't rot out but also don't poison any plants? Any other ideas on what I can use these for? I have approximately 10 and can get more as his work gets shipments...
9 answers
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I would paint them, add some 4" or so wood legs on the short end. Stand it upright, ad some little shelves. Would be cute storage in a small bathroom or a nice nitestand.
Vicki LB
on May 10, 2015
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I would put some small rolling wheels on them. and then drawer handles on each end. use in your pantry floor to store things.
Wendy
on May 10, 2015
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I had three shipping crates a few years back. I bought a nice plank top I hinged to one to make a treasure chest for my son. After sanding it all smooth we glued on old maps. After the glue dried we aged them with a light coat of stain then sealed with polyurethane. A piece of foam upholstered in leftover fabric provided an extra seat in his room. The second one I stood upright. Inserted wood shelves and painted in bright yellow. I used old bocce balls as feet to get it off the ground. We store board games and puzzles there. The third one I made a doll house for my daughter. She has since outgrown it but will not part with it.
Susan Bechamp
on May 11, 2015
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Put wheels and or legs on them and you will probably find more uses for them. I am envious! They are a great resource. If you have kids, wheels and rope handles make a great toy collector...books, magazines etc. Paint and decorate as you wish...you could even add ornate wood trims etc for a more formal look. Frame with 2 x 4's for sturdiness and stack for great garage storage...can be bolted to walls or stacked back to back.
Judy Capone Mantell
on May 11, 2015
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What about putting in some of the plastic sheeting they sell for weed control to help deter the rot from damp soil? You could drill holes in the bottom of the box, cut holes in the plastic sheeting for water drainage maybe? I'm wanting to do something like this for some container gardening vegetables! GOOD LUCK and keep us posted!
Robin H
on May 11, 2015
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I would probably buy an inexpensive plastic liner maybe at the dollar store-drill some holes for drainage-if rot is a problem paint the inside with some zinzer oil primer or that flexsill water proofing in a can
Pamela John
on May 11, 2015
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I like Robin H's idea - the idea of using them for container gardening. Paint them, drill drain holes in the bottom, place some casters on and go! You won't need to spend money on pretty pots and you can switch out the plants as the season change.
Lynn Hood Knowles
on May 12, 2015
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for raised bed garden...those crates look an awful lot like the shipping crates at job 2....i was told they are treated to resist rotting and insects....i would maybe drill the drainage holes first, prime, paint - including the holes, and then install the liner poking the holes in the liner last. estimate the wt of the crate filled with soil and water and get the right load bearing castors. when i made trolley's for my larger plants, i put 2 swivels on front and 2 non swivel on the back. swivels cost more, and mine steer just fine. so how did it go last year?
Dfm
on Feb 27, 2016
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An Update - I gave away all but 2 that have been stored in my shed since... re-reading this post has got me itching to go drag them out if the weather stays nice this week!
Rachelle Iredale
on Feb 28, 2016
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